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Reveizes take final step on Camino journey

September 16, 2026 by Carlos Reveiz, Correspondent

Buen Camino Always

After 36 unforgettable days, my dear wife Nancy, our Camino family, and I completed an incredible journey from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Finisterre — 584 miles and 1,278,588 steps across Spain. But in many ways, our Camino began long before we ever took that first step.

Twenty-two years ago, I first learned about the Camino de Santiago. For years, I would say, “One day, I’m going to walk the entire Camino.” Then one morning last year, I woke up and realized I was tired of saying “one day.”  We are not guaranteed tomorrow. So, I made a decision that changed my life. After 33 years in the corporate world, I retired and decided it was time to start living life on our terms. And what a decision that turned out to be.

It is difficult to find words that truly capture what the Camino gave us. We expected an adventure. What we experienced was so much more — physically demanding, mentally challenging, emotionally healing and, without question, life-changing. Every morning began much the same way. We taped our blisters, covered our feet with Vaseline, laced up our shoes and headed out the door knowing another day of miles, hills, aching muscles and the unknown was waiting for us.  Some days were easy.  Some days were incredibly hard.  But every day, we learned something.

The Camino teaches resilience. It teaches you that progress isn’t about how fast you walk. It’s about continuing to move forward. When your feet hurt, when your legs are tired and when the next hill seems impossible, you simply put one foot in front of the other. And then you do it again...and again. Until suddenly, you realize you’ve made it farther than you ever thought possible.

The People Made the Journey

Along the way, we met countless peregrinos from every corner of the world.  What struck me most wasn’t where people came from, what language they spoke, what they did for a living or how much money they had. None of that mattered.  On the Camino, titles, careers and bank accounts disappear. We were all simply pilgrims. We shared the same basic goals: walk, encourage one another, help when someone needed it, find a place to sleep and share a meal at the end of the day.  And somehow, that simplicity brought out the very best in people.  Kindness was everywhere. A stranger would notice you were struggling and offer a word of encouragement. Someone would share food when you were hungry. Another pilgrim would help carry a backpack or tend to a blister. People who had been strangers just hours earlier would sit together over dinner, laughing as if they had known each other for years. The Camino reminded me that the world is filled with good people — and sometimes we simply need to slow down long enough to notice them.

Our Camino Family

One of the greatest gifts of our journey was finding our Camino family. Five strangers started walking together, and somewhere along the way, those strangers became family.  We laughed together. We struggled together. We encouraged one another. We celebrated milestones together. We shared food on the trail and helped each other through the difficult days. Before long, people affectionately began calling us “The Brady Bunch.” And the name couldn’t have fit better. Although one member of our family left us in León to meet a friend, she never really left us. She remained part of our conversations, our memories and our hearts. That is another beautiful thing about the Camino.

What the Camino Taught Me

The Camino gave us far more than beautiful landscapes, historic villages and incredible memories. It reminded us to slow down. To appreciate a sunrise. To enjoy a conversation. To celebrate a simple meal. To be grateful for a comfortable bed. To stop worrying about things that don’t really matter. And most importantly, it reminded us that some of life’s greatest treasures aren’t things we can buy. The Camino didn’t just change how far we can walk. It changed how we see the world — and how we choose to live in it.

One More Memory to Add to a Lifetime

Over my lifetime, I’ve been blessed to experience some amazing physical adventures and athletic accomplishments, including playing a small part in the success of the magical 1985 Sugar Vols season. The SEC magical championship season will always hold a special place in my heart. Completing the Camino now ranks right up there with them.  But this accomplishment is different and extra special because I didn’t do it alone. I got to experience every single step with my dear wife, Nancy. There were hills we weren’t sure we could climb. There were days when our bodies were exhausted. There were moments when we wondered how we were going to keep going. But we did, together encouraging each other and that makes reaching Finisterre even more special.

“I Could Never Walk 584 Miles”

If you’re sitting at home reading this and thinking, “I would love to do the Camino, but there is no way I could walk 584 miles,” let me tell you something: Yes, you can! And you don’t have to walk 584 miles. You don’t have to walk the entire Camino.  You can walk a section. You can walk a few days. You can walk as far as your body allows. The Camino is not just for elite athletes or experienced hikers. It is designed in many ways to accommodate people of different ages, abilities and fitness levels. You can choose shorter stages, take your time and make the journey your own. And don’t confuse the Camino with hiking the Appalachian Trail. It is a completely different experience!  There are villages, towns, places to eat, places to stay and people along the way. You can walk a long distance or a short distance. You can challenge yourself or simply enjoy the experience. The biggest obstacle for most people isn’t their legs. It’s taking the first step.

I constantly hear people say, “I would love to do the Camino, but I don’t know where to start.” My answer is simple: Start by saying, “I’m going to walk the Camino.” Then start planning. If you are thinking about walking the Camino but don’t know where to begin, I would be happy to help. Email me at carlos@crfoto.com. It would truly be my pleasure to help get you started—or simply encourage you to take that first step.

Thank You for Walking With Us

To everyone who has followed our journey over the past month, thank you! Thank you for reading our stories, sharing in our adventures and allowing Nancy, our Camino family and me to bring a little piece of Spain into your homes each week. When we started this journey, we didn’t know exactly what awaited us. We knew there would be miles, hills, pains, laughter, and frustrating moments . But we had no idea how much joy, friendship, love and inspiration we would find along the way.

And now, as our Camino journey comes to an end, I leave you with two of my favorite life lessons: “The miracle is not that we finished the Camino, but that we had the courage to start.” And perhaps the one that means the most to me: “There will be days when I don’t know if I can walk the entire Camino… but there will be a lifetime knowing that I did.”

So, wherever life takes you next, don’t wait for “one day.” Dream it, plan it, take the first step, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Because you never know where that first step might take you.

Buen Camino always.